South of England Blog August 9th, 2015

August 09, 2015 at 6:47 PM

This morning we took the tube back into the central part of London and took a ride on the London Eye. What a great experience and amazing vantage point for some arial type photography. For anyone who does not know what the London Eye is ... it’s the giant walk on ferris wheel located across the River Thames from Parliament. It takes approximately 30 minutes to do a full rotation and offers a birds eye view of the city. Quite a few of the first series of images today is from the experience.

We then cruised up the river towards Tower Bridge and visited the Tower of London. Many points in Britain’s history happened within these walls, including the beheading of Henry the VIII’s wife Anne Boleyn. Anyone remember the rhyme King Henry VIII to six wives he was wedded. One died, one survived, two divorced and two beheaded. We were told today that it sometimes took 7 chops of the executioners blade to complete a beheading. Plenty of history within the walls, including an opportunity to view the Crown Jewels. Deep within the castle,

This evening we went back out for a night shoot along the Thames Rive near the Parliament Buildings and Big Ben. This was another beautiful blue sky day with temperatures reaching 26C this afternoon and comfortable to go back out this evening.

Tomorrow we depart from London and head south towards Southhampton for the next leg of our journey along the cost heading towards Cornwall. Enjoy todays photographs.

Big Ben, first sight as we came out of the subway

First stop London Eye

A photo shoot with a bride and groom as we made our way to the London Eye

Big Ben and Parliament in the background

Looking up at the London Eye as we line up to board

View out over London as we climbed

St Paul’s Cathedral

Buckingham Palace

Rail Station

Then as the wheel comes back down smile for a photo!

A great view of Parliament Buildings the tower on the right is called the Sovereign Tower, this is the entrance the Queen uses to enter Parliament.

Jette, Judith, Gail and Ray as the London Eye starts to climb

The system never stops you just walk on and off

Plenty of windows for viewing

Our shadow on the Thames

Another view of Buckingham Palace. It still has many beautiful trees are the palace

A B&W of Parliament buildings

Looking down stream towards Tower Bridge

We are now headed to the Tower of London, note Entry to the Traitors Gate. When this was a prison this is where they wold bring in the prisoners.

A view of Traitors Gate from the inside.

The keepers of the Tower’s residence. They still live onsite

Ruth having fun with one of the craftsmen

View from Tower of London of Tower Bridge

A fair maiden walking the castle wall

Guarding the Crown Jewels

Marching the line outside the Crown Jewels tower

Inside this ancient prison

Jette chatting up one of the Beef Eaters

The building that houses the Crown Jewels

Big Ben coloured by the setting sun, as we returned for our evening shoot

Double Decker and a Black Taxi and Big Ben, all in one shot!

Sovereign Tower, the Queens entrance to Parliament

The amazing stonework around the Queen's entrance

The Queens entrance into Parliament

Twilight and the tower is all a glow

Westminster Abbey

Time exposure of the bridge leading to Parliament

The Parliament Buildings from across the river

Tammy catching up on the news as our subway takes us back to our hotel

That’s it for this evening. Tomorrow we depart London and head southward towards the coast. We will be paying a visit to Stonehenge in the morning. Good night from all the Trekkers here in the other London.

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Posted by
Eva MacDonald
on
Aug 10th, 2015

Love to feel the history, your photos never disappoint! Enjoy the next leg of your trip. We are looking forward to more of your photos.Eva

Posted by
Nancy Anne
on
Aug 10th, 2015

i loved the B&W of the Parliament buildings, very reminiscent of old WW1 photos. I hope that it's a spooky morning at Stonehenge for you!
Carpe diem!........ NA

Posted by
Jerry
on
Aug 10th, 2015

What a great trip you folks are having, the photography is well done, I too like the B&W of the Parliament Buildings. Please say hello to David Fox for me would you.
Cheers everyone and enjoy the rest of the trip.
Jerry